Manila: Schools in some provinces of Philippines were closed Thursday as supertyphoon Haiyan came nearer to the country’s eastern coast.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the typhoon was located some 712 km east of Hinatuan city, in Surigao del Sur province, packing winds of up to 250 km per hour (kph).
In Cebu province, class suspension applies to “all levels in public and private schools” from Nov 7 to 8, provincial Governor Hilario Davide III said.
Surigao del Sur’s Governor Johnny Pimentel said “we’re experiencing heavy rains now, but no winds yet”, adding that he has already ordered an evacuation of all flood-prone areas in his province which is under public storm signal number 1 (winds of up to 55 kph) and 2 (55-65 kph).
“We’ve been already prepared since Wednesday,” Pimentel said. Governors in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte also asked soldiers and police to help disaster and rescue teams for possible massive flooding to be caused by Typhoon Haiyan. (Agencies)